More than laws needed to address shootings: #tellusatoday
Eight people in Ohio were killed in what appear to be planned, execution-style slayings, renewing nationwide debate on gun legislation. Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:
Killing, for whatever reason, is ingrained in the population of America. Education and religion have failed to stop the tide of violence engulfing this country.
Simply visit a retailer or gun show and use a credit card so you can kill, kill, kill.
—Dave Henrie
I keep my guns loaded and ready for just such a circumstance. In the case of the Ohio massacre, guns weren’t the issue. It looks like illegal activity such as pot growing was the issue. Nowhere was religion mentioned. God had nothing to do with these killings. You can bet evil was involved. Take responsibility for the safety of yourself and your family.
—Tim Webb
Guns don’t kill. People kill. Let’s ban pantyhose since it’s possible to kill someone by strangling them with pantyhose.
—Dew Dedded
I challenge anyone to tell me why a civilian needs an AR-15. It’s insane. I’m all about lawful, responsible gun ownership. Many of my family members are hunters. They don’t believe in, nor do they own, semi- or fully automatic weapons. Rights? Sure. Just don’t abuse them.
—Michael Anthony Shea
Letter edited for clarity and grammar:
After reading the article about the NFL star who was a victim of road rage, I couldn’t help but think that thanks in part to the NRA’s agenda of promoting guns, a simple traffic incident that might have ended with fisticuffs instead ended with one dead, one wounded and one facing a likely long prison sentence. Heaven help college students in Texas where law permits license holders to carry on campus. It’s only a matter of time until there’s a tragedy there. We all know it.
Greg Sloan; Butler, Pa.
We asked our followers what they thought should be done to prevent massacres like the one in Ohio. Tweets edited for clarity:
Repeal the Second Amendment and regulate gun ownership like a civilized 21st-century nation.
—@Standplaats_KRK
Better police community-outreach efforts, a neighborhood watch. Those efforts may minimize the risk.
—@blazenhell22
Teach people how to defend themselves with and without a weapon. Self-defense can stop an attack at the start. Cops are for after the attack.
—@MadamJenny
There is no way. Unfortunately you will always have bad people doing bad things.
—@Hysport
Gun problem can’t be solved, says the main country that has this problem.
—@Calvegas
Teach and arm citizens to protect themselves!
—@BrianHaulk
It is impossible. Better screening for mental health issues. Gun permits? If someone is crazy, not much anyone can do.
—@2keepcalm
For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.